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President for Admissions and Enrollment Management Nancy McDuff, Mentors Bob and Linda Snipes, Mentee and Scholarship Winner Jennifer Iglesias, and Mentor Program Director Trudy Bradley celebrate at the Mentor Program May Appreciation Luncheon.
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Mentor Program: Another Success Story
Date: 06.09.2009
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Beaming is probably an understatement when describing Bob and Linda Snipes’ glow as their mentee, Jennifer Iglesias, was recognized at the recent Mentor Appreciation Luncheon held on Wednesday at Trumps. Jennifer had just received a full scholarship from the Annexstad Family Foundation, which provides educational support in recognition of the positive impact that mentoring can have on the life of a young person. Originally focusing on the Big Brother/Big Sister Programs, the foundation was approached by University of Georgia Associate Vice President for Admissions and Enrollment Management Nancy McDuff about considering candidates from the Clarke County Mentor Program as well as other mentoring organizations. Jennifer was recently notified that she was a recipient for the program, which will pick up what other funding, such as the Hope Scholarship, does not.
As Mentor Director Trudy Bradley emphasized, those in attendance have had their shares of mentoring ups and downs that beset mentors and parents alike: The challenging years of high school, for example, to be followed by success in the workforce and/or pursuit of college degrees. A desperate call to a mentor as mentor and mentee anguished over the wording for a card to accompany flowers for a special girl friend. With the wording at last perfected, the phone rang again with the frustrated mentee admitting that he had no idea there was an additional charge for delivery. The mentor came to the rescue again. He delivered the flowers personally.
Since 30 mentors started in 1991 to make a difference in the lives of the children of Clarke County, the mentor program has grown to 984. Some are in the second generation with mentees, now grown, turning the tables and hoping to ensure the same values by becoming mentors themselves. Bradley firmly believes the program will surpass a thousand in the next school year. One of the original mentors, Ed Benson, was honored at the luncheon with the designated title of “Master Mentor” for his constant and consistent participation and belief in the program.
For Jennifer, the Snipes were her second parents. “Even Linda and my mother are similar,” she reports. “Both are blondes, and both collect trinkets.” For the Snipes, mentoring also meant going to every production in which Jennifer participated, whether a musical, which she prefers, or a drama.“Whether it was as difficult as help on math homework or as simple as a hug, they have always been there,” says Jennifer of the Snipes. “Since the first day we met, they have done what they could to ensure that I succeed at my goals. They do not have to do any of the things they do for me, but they do it, out of the goodness of their hearts and with a smile on their faces.” Jennifer noted in her application for the scholarship that there were times in her life that even her parents gave up on her dreams, but her mentors kept believing in her and helping until she achieved them. “A lot of my accomplishments, I thank them for being there, when no one else wanted to be. My mentors believing in me has boosted my confidence and helped me believe in myself.”
Jennifer credits her experience with the Clarke County Mentoring Program as good for helping others in life and in her future career of teaching. The patience and kindness that her mentors exhibited she said has rubbed off on her, particularly since she had been easily annoyed when they first met. “How they (the Snipes) have responded in tough situations has shown me that you do not need to be mean to get your way,” says Jennifer. It is a characteristic she says will benefit her career as a teacher because children do not respond to mean teachers. “With patience and kindness, my student will be more willing to listen to me and in the end learn more from me.”
As for her goals, Jennifer does not plan to waste anytime between graduation and making a difference in a child’s life. “My goal in life has always been to prevent illiteracy early on. There are children who make it all the way to high school until someone realizes that they are reading on a third grade level. I want to be that person who stops it before it is too late. With my degree in hand, I could start immediately after graduating,” she says, but adds that she intends to also get a master’s degree in English education. “I want to be the best teacher I can be and going back and learning new methods of teaching will be what I need to help my students reach their full potential.”
“Could she be where she is today without her mentors?” asked Bradley.
“Absolutely not!” Jennifer firmly responded.
Persons interested in becoming mentors for the next school year are asked to contact Trudy Bradley at 706-353-2288 or tbradley@athensga.com. Also see our page Here
A Big Thank You to the Sponsors of the Clarke County Mentor Program:
The Adsmith
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce
Athens Regional Medical Center
Athens Janitor Supply Company
Bell’s Food Store
Café on Prince
Clarke County School District
Fire and Flavor
Georgia Power
Jackson EMC Operation Roundup
National Bank of Georgia
R.E.M.
RW Allen
Sentry Self Storage
The Peoples Bank
Walton EMC Operation Roundup
Young Professionals Network
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